Abstract
Determination and distribution of 18 elements such as rare earth elements (REE), uranium and thorium in apatite minerals were examined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The sample solution (1 mg/ml) which were prepared with hot concentrated nitric acid were directly injected into the plasma. REE, uranium and thorium contents in the apatite were determined by a calibration curve method. However, the intensity of thorium decreased by calcium phosphate in macro-component. Therefore, thorium was separated from these calcium phosphate by solvent extraction with 0.1 mol/dm3 3-Phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone-DIBK system. DIBK phase was evaporated by heating, dried and ashed with concentrated nitric and perchloric acids. After allowing cooling, 0.1 mol/dm3 nitric acids was added to dissolve any precipitate. The REE, uranium and thorium content in apatite minerals from USA, China and Jordan were found to be (0.24-172), (9.69-111), (0.7-7.95) ppm, respectively. It was found that lanthanoid in apatite minerals following the Oddo and Harkins law.
